We recently received a thoughtful comment from a concerned citizen regarding our previous blog post on the suspension of remote public comments in El Cerrito. The commenter rightly pointed out that the decision to halt remote participation was a direct response to coordinated “Zoom bombing” incidents, where non-residents disrupted meetings with antisemitic and white supremacist rhetoric. This context is crucial and was not adequately addressed in our initial post.
Understanding the Context
In September 2023, El Cerrito, along with other Bay Area cities like Berkeley, San Pablo, and Walnut Creek, faced significant disruptions during virtual public comment sessions. Organized groups exploited remote platforms to deliver hate speech, compelling these cities to suspend remote public comments to maintain the decorum and effectiveness of their meetings.
The Current Landscape
While the immediate suspension was a necessary measure to address the disruptions, it’s important to assess the current state of public participation:
Duration of Suspension: Over a year has passed since the suspension of remote public comments in El Cerrito. During this time, the city has not revisited or updated its policy on virtual participation.
Impact on Accessibility: The absence of remote commenting options disproportionately affects residents with mobility challenges, caregiving responsibilities, or other constraints that prevent in-person attendance. Additionally, the discontinuation of recordings for advisory board and commission meetings further limits access to civic discussions for those unable to attend.
Looking Ahead
Given the evolving nature of virtual security measures and the successful reinstatement of remote comments in cities like Berkeley, it’s an opportune moment for El Cerrito to re-evaluate its stance. Implementing robust safeguards can mitigate the risk of disruptions while promoting inclusive civic engagement.
Engage with Your City Officials
We encourage residents to share their perspectives on this matter. By contacting the City Clerk and City Council members, you can advocate for policies that balance security with accessibility:
• City Clerk: cityclerk@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• Mayor Carolyn Wysinger: cwysinger@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Quinto: gquinto@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• Councilmember Lisa Motoyama: lmotoyama@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• Councilmember William Ktsanes: wktsanes@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• Councilmember Rebecca Saltzman: rsaltzman@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
Conclusion
We appreciate the community’s engagement and feedback, which help us provide more accurate and comprehensive information. It’s essential to acknowledge past challenges while proactively seeking solutions that uphold both the integrity of public meetings and the inclusivity of civic participation.
#ElCerrito #PublicParticipation #CivicEngagement #InclusiveGovernance #CommunityFeedback
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 